Testimony 07/01/07: My Million-Dollar Dog

“Would you sell Nino for $ 20,000?” my dad asked me. I don’t need much thinking to answer that. My answer is definitely no!

“What about $ 1,000,000?”

“NO!” I said once again.

Nino is a dog. She is 12 years old and I have had her since she was just two months old! We went through many adventures together. We explored the garden together, ran after the birds, swam after the fish and lay down on the grass under the tree. Her loyalty no one can doubt. She’s been there when I was happy and she’s been there when I was sad.

Well… Nino starts losing her hearing now. Her eyesight is getting worse by the day. For other people, Nino might be just an old dog whose beautiful black coat is turning grey. For me, she is my best friend. She is loved. And she is mine.

You might feel like a wretch. No body seems to like you. Nobody seems to appreciate what you do. Nothing you have could impress anyone.

But He watched over you when you were born. He was there when you took that first step. He was there when you were bullied by your school friends. He was there for your graduation. He was there on your wedding. He was there when you laughed and when you cried. Even if no one cares, you are dearly loved. You are His. And He is yours. Nothing could ever change that. And God is looking forward to have more and more adventures with you as you walk this earth.

***

I strolled towards Nino’s playpen this morning. She sat there expectantly. I looked into her eyes… the eyes that were once so bright but now clouded from aging. Still, I could see the glow from within them. There I told her, “You are my Million-Dollar Dog”.

Testimony 02/01/07: Every 2nd January

Have you ever noticed that everything is brighter every 2nd January? I am talking about Bandung, a town surrounded by mountains and shaped like a bowl. This has caused the air to be stagnant and makes the town very prone to pollution. But every beginning of the year, everything seems brighter. The sky looks a little bit clearer and the mountain looks a little bit greener. I wonder why.

After I discussed it with my brothers, we came into the conclusion that the town has been in a rest. Industry ceased puffing smoke up in the air for three days and many people rest at home on New Year Day, which reduce the number of cars on the road significantly.

Another thing not to forget is that the town is in rainy season this time of the year. It never failed to rain heavily in the last few days of every year. This has helped washing away the dust and smoke from the air down the drain.

It is the same with our life. Just like Bandung takes a day off every year, we also need to stop and calm down on a regular basis. And not just to calm down, but also to meet the One who can cleanse us of the dust and smoke of this world every single day: Jesus Christ. Our dust and smoke can be anything from physical difficulties to emotional problems to spiritual thirst. Jesus, the Living Water, can quench them all.

The Word 25/12/06: God’s Girls: Hidden Treasures Waiting to be Discovered

Proverbs 31:10
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” (NIV)

Proverbs 31:10-31 is famous for being the description of the women of God. I believe you’ve read the above verse many times before. But now, take your time and read it again. This time more slowly and let each word sink into your heart.

Beauty That Last

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”

Isn’t it interesting that God never mention anything about our outer appearance throughout Proverbs 31? He never mentions if we are young or old, fat or skinny, tall or short, what we are wearing, how we look, or if we have pimples or not. He is far more interested in our character than anything else. We find our worth on the inside of our hearts. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.” Proverbs 31:30 (NLT)

Only for the Single Girls

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”

The battle of the sexes is not about us, girls, finding the men. But it is about us being found by men. Just like God brought Eve to Adam (Genesis 2:22), God knows how to bring you to the right man. So stop looking for a man. Your biological clock is not ticking. God knows how to get you found. He has the right timing and the right man for you. God has given girls the privilege to be found.

Proverbs 18:22
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favour from the Lord.” (NIV)

Hidden Treasure

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” (NIV)
“A good woman who can find, and worth far more than diamonds.” (MSG)
“A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman – who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.” (AMP)

Rubies, diamonds and pearls… they are all precious jewels. You’ve got to dig for them. You’ve got to search them until you find them. God has equipped you with dreams, passion and talents. Don’t ever stop of searching the gifts God’s has given you. Do not stop seeking His will for your life because in you is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered.